2nd Annual F*$#Ing Freezing Frozen Lake Half Marathon

January 29, 2011
http://www.runningguru.com/EventInformation.asp?eID=669

For those who know me well, they know I hate the cold. It makes me angry and depressed and I much prefer the warmth of my glorious bed heated by my hair dryer. Back in November-ish, I was looking for a race to sign up for to motivate me to run outside. This would be the first winter where I actually run outside at least a few times a week. Chuck convinced me to sign up for the second annual F%$#ing Freezing Frozen Lake Half Marathon. He said it is a grass roots race with fun people and a mini party at the end. Perfect. I bought fancy tights and had all the gear and thought this would be a good way to keep me going to run outside.

It's already February 10, 2011, post Blizzard 2011!- and I have to admit, it hasn't been awful. I'm not Daryl, running at 4:00am to catch an early bike class, and lately have only been out about once a week. When I catch a gust of cold wind, I remember how sick running in the extreme heat makes me feel. With proper gear it really isn't terrible.

A few weeks before race day- we come to find that the grass roots race (bring your own bib and your own medal- they'll provide the aid stations and free beer after) was no longer an official race because of the needed permits. There were 200 or so participants (entry was only $20 to pay for the shirt and the 312 beer after at the party at FIZZ-Bar and Grill- which came in a snazzy 2010 Chicago Marathon glass). So it wasn't an official race, but people were encouraged to do their own route and meet up later. I stuck to the route that was already designed to keep it more "official".
The path was pretty gross at some points and we ended up doing street running along that street right by the path- Cannon?
Swanny ended up jumping in last minute, which offered good entertainment for the run. We saw several groups out, both for this race and for the CARA groups. A really fun way to spend a Saturday morning saying hi to fellow running community members. We also did a mini detour through an ice sculpture display going on at Navy Pier! Super cool!



Post race, went to the bar, drank my 312, ate my Turkey Burger and went off to VQ for my 90 min bike class- good thing I saw Jeff at FIZZ also- he's in my class, ran the race, and was off to cycling class. Not sure how great of a performance I put out for the class, but still a solid day of workouts.